MEPs support EU Brazilian beef ban

The campaign to introduce an EU ban on Brazilian beef imports has gained fresh momentum. The latest drive to rally support for the move could see a complete ban introduced by the end of the year.

Five MEPs from GB and Ireland have this week united behind a written declaration calling for an EU ban. The MEPs, led by Scottish National Party MEP Alyn Smith, who signed the declaration were Mairead McGuinness (Ireland East), Neil Parish (South West England), James Nicholson (Northern Ireland) and Jill Evans (Wales).

The case has also been presented to the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, chaired by Neil Parish, and a petition has been presented to the Petitions Committee.

Speaking to Farmers Weekly, Alyn Smith said all the stops were being pulled out to get 50% of Europe’s 785 MEPs to put their names to the written declaration in the next three months. If that is achieved, he said, it will require the commission to act.